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There are fresh hopes Plymouth’s Barden factory - and the jobs of 400 workers - can be saved after company bosses held high-level talks with ministers in Westminster.

Top brass from the German-based parent firm Schaeffler Group, which owns the Barden Corporation (UK) Ltd factory in Estover, have held “positive” talks with the Minister of Defence Procurement Stuart Andrew, in London.

Jurgen Ziegler, Schaeffler’s European chief executive, and Jon Everett, managing director of Barden UK, briefed the minister and Moor View’s Tory MP Johnny Mercer about Schaeffler’s continued commitment to the UK and give assurances that a consultation process for Barden employees would remain open whilst “alternative options to closure were being considered”.

Bosses extended the 45-day consultation with employees and their representatives, which was immediately seized on as a positive move which could result in the closure decision being reversed.

Whilst in the capital Mr Ziegler and Mr Everett, with Mr Mercer, also took part in “constructive discussions” with West Devon Tory MP Sir Gary Streeter, Sutton and Devonport’s Labour MP Luke Pollard and Nina Sarlaka from Plymouth City Council.

They looked at the “best solution” for Schaeffler, its employees, and the Plymouth community, but also discussed the need to maintain a “professional level of planning" should the plant have to close.

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Following the meetings, Mr Mercer said: “I am committed to doing everything possible to safeguard this factory which has been a part of Plymouth’s manufacturing scene for 50 years.

“I will do all I can, working with other elected representatives from the area along with Plymouth City Council, to bring clarity to the situation for the brilliant people who work there, and stability to this important part of Plymouth’s economy.

“Today was a good day; I remain confident that all options are being explored, and I am hopeful.”

Mr Pollard said: “Plymouth has a world-class manufacturing base and I’m determined to work cross party to secure jobs at Barden and ensure that production continues in Plymouth.

“There is a glimmer of light at the tunnel for Barden workers. I made it clear to the CEO of Schaeffler that there is strong cross party support for protecting these jobs and he was left in no doubt about our resolve to find a positive solution for Barden’s workers and for our city.”

Barden managing director Jon Everett (Image: Penny Cross)

Mr Streeter said: “A good day. I remain optimistic for this important part of Plymouth’s manufacturing economy.”

Plymouth City Council Leader Tudor Evans, Labour, said: “Everyone has been working very hard to find a solution to avoid the proposed closure.

“This is hugely important as Barden are a critical component of Plymouth’s manufacturing sector, which contributes approaching £900million to the city’s economy.

The global automotive and industrial supplier said it would close the plant within two years, just a year after it announced it would pump £15million into the facility, and blamed Brexit for the closure.

But its German owner said it was undergoing a huge restructuring, which will also see it close its base in Llanelli and merge logistics centres in Hereford and Sutton Coldfield, but retain a factory in Sheffield.

The company said at the time: “The uncertainty surrounding Brexit was one factor amongst others in the analysis of the UK market.”

It explained only 15% of the goods Schaeffler produces in the UK remain in the country, while the vast majority is exported to continental Europe.

So it proposed to shift production from Plymouth to existing plants outside the UK, in the USA, China, South Korea and Germany.

Schaeffler entered statutory consultations with elected representatives for all employees at the locations affected, including Plymouth. But now that consultation has been extended.

Time Line

Barden Corporation - the history

1942

The Barden Corporation is set up in the USA by Theodore Barth and Carl Norden to make bearings for navy bombsights.

1960

1967

The business moves to its current Estover base and expands, before being bought by German firm FAG Kugelfischer.

1992

The entire UK operation is consolidated in Plymouth in 1992.

2001

FAG is acquired by the Germany-headquartered multi-national Schaeffler Group in 2001. Schaeffler, renowned for supplying the automotive industry, has 76,000 employees, working in more than 180 locations in more than 50 countries, and a turnover in 2012 of 11.1billion euros.

2013

The firm reports a huge increase in sales, rising from £23million in 1998 to nearly £46million, under managing director Ian Bunage

2014

Barden is named Large Business of the Year at the Herald Business Awards

2016

Jon Everett succeeds Ian Burnage as managing director when Mr Burnage leaves to form his own business. Mr Everett, who joined from Midlands manufacturer Ultra Electronics PMES, is a former Plymouth-based commando. He was with 29 Commando Royal Artillery for 18 years, leaving as a major – and superior to current Moor View Tory MP Johnny Mercer.

2018

Schaeffler announced it is to close The Barden Corporation (UK) Ltd plant in Estover within the next two years with the loss of about 400 jobs, blaming Brexit among other considerations

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